NGHTMRE UCSD Notes - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7jl-LnAYjoM)

Important/ essential information:

Trust your own taste - receive feedback but don’t take everything to heart
Organizing your projects + samples (optimize your workflow as much as possible)
Reference tracks to compare your creation with more professional productions
Be unique and innovate. Find a way to stand out from the immense amount of producers out
there. What makes you different and what do you represent?

Five tips for the production process:

1. Clarify - All parts of your track MUST have a purpose. Have an idea of what your final
track should sound like. What is the one element that DRIVES your track? Is it the bass,
drums, lead, or vocals?
2. Simplify - Organize your track into STEMS. Eg. Drop Bass/Drums/Drop Synths/Breakdown
Bass etc… Remove something if it doesn’t contribute to what the goal of your track is.
Create good complexity. Don’t confuse the listener with too many rhythm’s/patterns at the
same time. Think about arrangement even if it’s just a simple idea.
3. Add Character - Investing in GOOD samples. Organizing and collecting your favorite
samples that you use often. Do something that makes your track unique to you, create your
own CHARACTERISTICS, be it a certain bass sound, vocal chop style or just mixing
technique.
4. Sonic Treatment - Don’t force effects on your sounds just because. Listen exactly for what
each sound NEEDS.
5. Audio editing/ Mixing/ AB Comparison (referencing tracks) - Importance of EQing to
create space for each sound/instrument. Give every element in your track its own space.
Add width to your mix using panning, stereo imaging.

Promotion and networking:

Consistency and quality your music should be your main priority.

Timing. Know when to release tracks. For example, the short period of time after an original
track is released is good to release a remix.
Have a good brand image and presence on social media that can generate a following and
allow people to reach you.
Take the extra step to connect with people personally. Contact blog writers directly, go to
events and meet people face to face, create more opportunities for yourself.
Exchanging tracks, do collaborations with other artists/DJ’s who can help with getting your
music out there. However, don’t make music that you would want other DJ’s to be
playing, make music that you want to make.

Useful resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ResTHKVxf4 - Ira Glass on Creativity
http://freesound.org/ - Real world sound’s sample library
http://www.acapellas4u.co.uk/ - Acapella’s library (requires free registration)

Big thanks to Tyler (NGHTMRE) for doing this and to everyone involved with putting this event and
video together.